of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ;(1) of conforming them to his image, (2) and subduing them to his will; (3) of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions; (4) of building them up in grace, (5) and establish

sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Rom. viii. 16.

(1) Acts ii. 37, 41. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then they that gladly received his word, were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts viii. 27 to 38.

(2) 2 Cor. iii. 18. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Col. i. 27.

(3) 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. (For the weapons of our warfare. are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Rom. vi. 17.

(4) Ps. xix. 11.-Moreover, by them is thy servant warned. Col. i. 29. Whom we preach, warning every inan. Eph. vi. 16, 17. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Matt. iv. 7, 10.

(5) Eph. iv. 11, 12. And he gave some, apostlesand some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, &c. Acts xx. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up. 2 Tım. iii. 15, 16 1 Cor. iii. 9, 10, 11.

ing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation. (1)

Q. 156. Is the word of God to be read by all?

A. Although all are not permitted to read the word publicly to the congregation, (2) yet all sorts of people are bound to read it apart by themselves, (3) and with their families: (4) to

(1) Rom. xvi. 25. Now, to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began. 1 Thess. iii. 2, 13. And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith, &c. Rom. x. 14 to 17.

(2) Deut. xxxi. 9, 12, 13. And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi—and unto all the elders of Israel.—Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates,-that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law, &c.

(3) Deut. xvii. 18, 19. And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the priests the Levites: and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life.—Isa. xxxiv. 16. Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read.-John v. 39. Search the Scriptures.-Rev. i. 3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.

(4) Deut. vi. 6, 7. And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when

which end, the holy Scriptures are to be translated out of the original into vulgar languages. (1)

Q. 157. How is the word of God to be read?

A. The holy Scriptures are to be read with an high and reverend esteem of them; (2) with a firm persuasion that they are the very word of God, (3) and that he only can enable us to understand them; (4) with desire to know, believe, and obey, the will of God revealed in them; (5)

thou risest up. Ps. lxxviii. 5, 6. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children.

(1) 1 Cor. xiv. 2 to 29. ver. 18, 19.-I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all; yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

(2) Ps. cxix. 97. O how love I thy law!-Neh. viii. 5. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people-and when he opened it, all the people stood up.

Isa. lxvi. 2.-But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

(3) 2 Pet. i. 21.-Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 1 Thess. ii. 13.

(4) Ps. cxix. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Luke xxiv. 45.

(5) James i. 21, 22.-Receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your ownselves. 1 Pet. ii. 2. As new-born babes

with diligence, (1) and attention to the matter and scope of them; (2) with meditation, (3) application, (4) self-denial, (5) and prayer. (6)

Q. 158. By whom is the word of God to be preached?

A. The word of God is to be preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted, (7) and also duly approved and called to that office. (8)

desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. Mark iv. 20.

(1) Acts xvii. 11. These [Bereans] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Deut. xi. 13.

(2) Acts viii. 30, 34. And Philip-said, Understandest thou what thou readest?-And the eunuch answered Philip,-Of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Matt. xiii. 23.

(3) Ps. i. 2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Ps. cxix. 97. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

(4) Acts ii. 38, 39.-Repent, and be baptized every one of you-for the promise is unto you, and to your children. 2 Sam. xii. 7. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 21.

(5) Gal. i. 15, 16. But when it pleased God-to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. Prov. iii. 5.

(6) Neh. viii. 6, 8. See figure (4), page 329.

(7) 1 Tim. iii. 2-6. A bishop-must be blamelessapt to teach-not a novice. 2 Tim. ii. 2. And the things that thou hast heard of me, among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Matt. ii. 7.

(8) Rom. x. 15. And how shall they preach, except they be sent ? Heb. v. 4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 1 Tim. iv. 14. Neglect not the gift that is

Q. 159. How is the word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto?

A. They that are called to labour in the ministry of the word are to preach sound doctrine, (1) diligently, (2) in season, and out of season; (3) plainly, (4) not in the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; (5) faithfully, (6) making known the whole counsel of God; (7) wisely, (8) applying themselves to the necessities

in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

(1) Tit. ii. 1, 8. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine;-sound speech that cannot be condemned.

(2) Acts xviii. 25.-Being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord.

(3) 2 Tim. iv. 2. Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season.

(4) 1 Cor. xiv. 9.-Except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

(5) 1 Cor. ii. 4. And my speech, and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power.

(6) Jer. xxiii. 28.-He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. Matt. xxiv. 45, 46, 47.

(7) Acts xx. 27. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

(8) Col. i. 28. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom. 2 Tim. ii. 15. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.